My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring eagerly at the cake

cake is so pretty,

lifted a knife and a paper plate,

some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some cake, what should

the head of the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish

must sing the

must close her eyes

Rachel must blow out

Julian that there was no need

still lit the candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

have to say it in your heart and

her head to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking

the gazes of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew

you!”

like that, the

Rachel finally smiled for the first time in days. Thank

important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry about

never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that point, Rachel’s expression was

her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so

and headed toward the

her apartment and about

loud slam, the door was propped open by a large hand from

head up, Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the

he out on business? she

himself, he slid sideways into the house and shut the

been getting along fine

steps

he pulled off his necktie and threw it

icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you

by step he approached her, forcing her back inch

idea

caught hold of her arm and pulled, she staggered after him and